Substituted gamma lactams as therapeutic agents

ABSTRACT

A compound having the formula  
                 
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof is disclosed herein. Y, A, and B are as described herein. Methods, compositions, and medicaments related to these compounds are also disclosed.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 toU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/804,680, filed Jun. 14, 2006,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Compounds are disclosed herein having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;wherein Y is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or esterthereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or anether thereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolylfunctional group;A is —(CH₂)₆—, cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or —CH₂C≡C—(CH₂)₃—, wherein 1 or 2carbon atoms may be substituted with S or O; or A is—(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar is interarylene orheterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is from 1 to 4, and wherein oneCH₂ may be substituted with S or O;U is O, S, NR¹, wherein R¹ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₇ acyl, benzoyl,biphenylacyl, C₁₋₆ sulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, biphenylsulfonyl,trifluoromethylacyl, or trifloyl; andB is aryl or heteroaryl.

Y is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereofcomprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an etherthereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolylfunctional group.

An organic acid functional group is an acidic functional group on anorganic molecule. While not intending to be limiting, organic acidfunctional groups may comprise an oxide of carbon, sulfur, orphosphorous. Thus, while not intending to limit the scope of theinvention in any way, in certain compounds Y is a carboxylic acid,sulfonic acid, or phosphonic acid functional group, i.e. one of thestructures shown below.

Salts of any of these acids of any pharmaceutically acceptable form arealso contemplated.

Additionally, an amide or ester of one of the organic acids shown abovecomprising up to 12 carbon atoms is also contemplated. In an ester, ahydrocarbyl moiety replaces a hydrogen atom of an acid such as in acarboxylic acid ester, e.g. CO₂Me, CO₂Et, etc.

In an amide, an amine group replaces an OH of the acid. Examples ofamides include CON(R²)₂, CON(OR²)R², CON(CH₂CH₂OH)₂, and CONH(CH₂CH₂OH)where R² is independently H, C₁-C₆ alkyl, phenyl, or biphenyl. Moietiessuch as CONHSO₂R² are also amides of the carboxylic acid notwithstandingthe fact that they may also be considered to be amides of the sulfonicacid R²—SO₃H.

While not intending to limit the scope of the invention in any way, Ymay also be hydroxymethyl or an ether thereof comprising up to 12 carbonatoms. Thus, compounds having a structure shown below are possible.

Additionally, ethers of these compounds are also possible. An ether is afunctional group wherein a hydrogen of an hydroxyl is replaced bycarbon, e.g., Y is CH₂OCH₃, CH₂OCH₂CH₃, etc.

Finally, while not intending to limit the scope of the invention in anyway, Y may be a tetrazolyl functional group, such as compounds having astructure according to the formula below.

An unsubstituted tetrazolyl functional group has two tautomeric forms,which can rapidly interconvert in aqueous or biological media, and arethus equivalent to one another. These tautomers are shown below.

Additionally, if R² is C₁-C₆ alkyl, phenyl, or biphenyl, other isomericforms of the tetrazolyl functional group such as the one shown below arealso possible, unsubstituted and hydrocarbyl substituted tetrazolyl upto C₁₂ are considered to be within the scope of the term “tetrazolyl.”

While not intending to limit the scope of the invention in any way, inone embodiment, Y is selected from the group consisting of CO₂(R²),CON(R²)₂, CON(OR²)R², CON(CH₂CH₂OH)₂, CONH(CH₂CH₂OH), CH₂OH, P(O)(OH)₂,CONHSO₂R², SO₂N(R²)₂, SO₂NHR², and tetrazolyl-R²; wherein R² isindependently H, C₁-C₆ alkyl, phenyl, or biphenyl.

In another embodiment Y is not CONH-phenyl or CONH-cyclohexyl.

In relation to the identity of A disclosed in the chemical structurespresented herein, A is —(CH₂)₆—, cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or—CH₂C≡C—(CH₂)₃—, wherein 1 or 2 carbon atoms may be substituted with Sor O; or A is —(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar is interarylene orheterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is from 1 to 4, and wherein oneCH₂ may be substituted with S or O.

While not intending to be limiting, A may be —(CH₂)₆—, cis—CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or —CH₂C≡C—(CH₂)₃—.

Alternatively, A may be a group which is related to one of these threemoieties in that any carbon is substituted with S and/or O. For example,while not intending to limit the scope of the invention in any way, Amay be an S substituted moiety such as one of the following or the like.

Alternatively, while not intending to limit the scope of the inventionin any way, A may be an O substituted moiety such as one of thefollowing or the like.

Alternatively, while not intending to limit the scope of the inventionin any way, A may have both an O and an S substituted into the chain,such as one of the following or the like.

Alternatively, while not intending to limit the scope of the inventionin any way, in certain embodiments A is —(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— whereinAr is interarylene or heterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is from 1to 4, and wherein one CH₂ may be substituted with S or O. In otherwords, while not intending to limit the scope of the invention in anyway,

in one embodiment A comprises from 1 to 4 CH₂ moieties and Ar, e.g.—CH₂—Ar—, —(CH₂)₂—Ar—, —CH₂—Ar—CH₂—, —CH₂—Ar—(CH₂)₂—,—(CH₂)₂—Ar—(CH₂)₂—, and the like; or

A comprises O, from 0 to 3 CH₂ moieties, and Ar, e.g., —O—Ar—,Ar—CH₂—O—, —O—Ar—(CH₂)₂—, —O—CH₂—Ar—, —O—CH₂—Ar—(CH₂)₂, and the like; or

A comprises S, from 0 to 3 CH₂ moieties, and Ar, e.g., —S—Ar—,Ar—CH₂—S—, —S—Ar—(CH₂)₂—, —S—CH₂—Ar—, —S—CH₂—Ar—(CH₂)₂, —(CH₂)₂—S—Ar,and the like.

In another embodiment, the sum of m and o is from 2 to 4 wherein one CH₂may be substituted with S or O.

In another embodiment, the sum of m and o is 3 wherein one CH₂ may besubstituted with S or O.

In another embodiment, the sum of m and o is 2 wherein one CH₂ may besubstituted with S or O.

In another embodiment, the sum of m and o is 4 wherein one CH₂ may besubstituted with S or O.

Interarylene or heterointerarylene refers to an aryl ring or ring systemor a heteroaryl ring or ring system which connects two other parts of amolecule, i.e. the two parts are bonded to the ring in two distinct ringpositions. Interarylene or heterointerarylene may be substituted orunsubstituted. Unsubstituted interarylene or heterointerarylene has nosubstituents other than the two parts of the molecule it connects.Substituted interarylene or heterointerarylene has one or moresubstituents in addition to the two parts of the molecule it connects.

In one embodiment, Ar is substituted or unsubstituted interphenylene,interthienylene, interfurylene, interpyridinylene, interoxazolylene, andinterthiazolylene. In another embodiment Ar is interphenylene (Ph). Inanother embodiment A is —(CH₂)₂-Ph-. While not intending to limit scopeof the invention in any way, substituents may have 4 or less heavyatoms, or in other words, non hydrogen atoms. Any number of hydrogenatoms required for a particular substituent will also be included. Thus,the substituent may be

hydrocarbyl, i.e. a moiety consisting of only carbon and hydrogen suchas alkyl, having up to 4 carbon atoms, including alkyl up to C₄,alkenyl, alkynyl, and the like;

hydrocarbyloxy up to C₃;

CF₃;

halo, such as F, Cl, or Br;

hydroxyl;

NH₂ and alkylamine functional groups up to C₃;

other N or S containing substituents;

and the like.

Substituted interarylene or interheteroarylene may have one or moresubstituents, up to as many as the ring or ring system will bear, andthe substituents may be the same or different. Thus, for example, aninterarylene ring or interheteroarylene ring may be substituted withchloro and methyl; methyl, OH, and F; CN, NO₂, and ethyl; and the likeincluding any conceivable substituent or combination of substituentpossible in light of this disclosure.

In one embodiment A is —(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar isinterphenylene, the sum of m and o is from 1 to 3, and wherein one CH₂may be substituted with S or O.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—Ar—OCH₂—. In another embodiment A is—CH₂—Ar—OCH₂— and Ar is interphenylene. In another embodiment, Ar is 1,3interaryl or interheteroaryl, where Ar attached at the 1 and 3positions, such as when A has the structure shown below.

Other examples of 1,3 interaryl or interheteroaryl are exemplified inthe following examples of A-Y.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₆—, cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or—CH₂C≡C—(CH₂)₃—, wherein 1 or 2 carbon atoms may be substituted with Sor O; or A is —(CH₂)₂-Ph- wherein one CH₂ may be substituted with S orO.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₆—, cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or—CH₂C≡C—(CH₂)₃—, wherein 1 or 2 carbon atoms may be substituted with Sor O; or A is —(CH₂)₂-Ph-.

In another embodiment A is not —(CH₂)₆—.

In other embodiments, A has one of the following structures, where Y isattached to the oxazolyl or thiazolyl ring.

In other embodiments A is one of the structures shown below, where Y isattached to the phenyl or heteroaryl ring.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂OCH₂Ar.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂SCH₂Ar.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₃Ar.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂O(CH₂)₄.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂S(CH₂)₄.

In another embodiment A is —S(CH₂)₃S(CH₂)₂—.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₄OCH₂—.

In another embodiment A is cis —CH₂CH═CH—CH₂OCH₂—.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂CH≡CH—CH₂OCH₂—.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₂S(CH₂)₃—.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-Ph-OCH₂—, wherein Ph is interphenylene.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-mPh-OCH₂—, wherein mPh ism-interphenylene.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—(CH₂)₄—.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interthienylene.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interfurylene.

U is O, S, NR¹, wherein R¹ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₇ acyl, benzoyl,biphenylacyl, C₁₋₆ sulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, biphenylsulfonyl,trifluoromethylacyl, or trifloyl.

Acyl, benzoyl, biphenylacyl, sulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, andbiphenylsulfonyl have the structures shown below, where N indicates thenitrogen atom of U.

Thus, compounds according to the formulas shown below are possible, orpharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrugs thereof, wherein R⁷ is Hor C₁₋₆ alkyl.

In one embodiment, R⁷ is H. In another embodiment R⁷ is methyl. Inanother embodiment R⁷ is ethyl. In another embodiment R⁷ a propylisomer. In another embodiment R⁷ is H or C₁₋₃ alkyl.

B is aryl or heteroaryl.

Aryl is an unsubstituted or substituted aromatic ring or ring systemsuch as phenyl, naphthyl, biphenyl, and the like.

Heteroaryl is aryl having one or more N, O, or S atoms in the ring, i.e.a ring carbon is substituted by N, O, or S. While not intending to belimiting, examples of heteroaryl include unsubstituted or substitutedthienyl, pyridinyl, furyl, benzothienyl, benzofuryl, imidizololyl,indolyl, and the like.

The substituents of aryl or heteroaryl may have up to 12 non-hydrogenatoms each and as many hydrogen atoms as necessary. Thus, while notintending to limit the scope of the invention in any way, thesubstituents may be:

hydrocarbyl, i.e. a moiety consisting of only carbon and hydrogen suchas alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and the like, including linear, branched orcyclic hydrocarbyl, and combinations thereof;

hydrocarbyloxy, meaning O-hydrocarbyl such as OCH₃, OCH₂CH₃,O-cyclohexyl, etc, up to 11 carbon atoms;

other ether substituents such as CH₂OCH₃, (CH₂)₂OCH(CH₃)₂, and the like;

thioether substituents including S-hydrocarbyl and other thioethersubstituents;

hydroxyhydrocarbyl, meaning hydrocarbyl-OH such as CH₂OH, C(CH₃)₂OH,etc, up to 11 carbon atoms;

nitrogen substituents such as NO₂, CN, and the like, including

amino, such as NH₂, NH(CH₂CH₃OH), NHCH₃, and the like up to 11 carbonatoms;

carbonyl substituents, such as CO₂H, ester, amide, and the like;

halogen, such as chloro, fluoro, bromo, and the like

fluorocarbyl, such as CF₃, CF₂CF₃, etc.;

phosphorous substituents, such as PO₃ ²⁻, and the like;

sulfur substituents, including S-hydrocarbyl, SH, SO₃H, SO₂-hydrocarbyl,SO₃-hydrocarbyl, and the like.

In certain embodiments, the number of non-hydrogen atoms is 6 or less ina substituent. In other embodiments, the number of non-hydrogen atoms is3 or less in a substituent. In other embodiments, the number ofnon-hydrogen atoms on a substituent is 1.

In certain embodiments, the substituents contain only hydrogen, carbon,oxygen, halogen, nitrogen, and sulfur. In other embodiments, thesubstituents contain only hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, and halogen.

Unless otherwise indicated, references to aryl, heteroaryl, phenyl,thienyl, benzothienyl, and the like are intended to mean both thesubstituted and the unsubstituted moiety.

Substituted aryl or heteroaryl may have one or more substituents, up toas many as the ring or ring system will bear, and the substituents maybe the same or different. Thus, for example, an aryl ring or aheteroaryl ring may be substituted with chloro and methyl; methyl, OH,and F; CN, NO₂, and ethyl; and the like including any conceivablesubstituent or combination of substituent possible in light of thisdisclosure.

Thus, compounds wherein B is any of the above classes or species of arylor heteroaryl are contemplated herein.

Further, while not intending to limit the scope of the invention in anyway, in one embodiment B is phenyl. In another embodiment B ischlorophenyl, meaning phenyl with one or more chloro substituents. Inanother embodiment D is 3,5-dichlorophenyl. In another embodiment B isunsubstituted phenyl. In another embodiment B is alkylphenyl. In anotherembodiment B is t-butylphenyl.

In another embodiment B is hydroxyalkylphenyl, meaning phenyl with ahydroxyalkyl substituent such as Ph-CH(OH)C(CH₃)₃.

B can also be any of the groups shown below, where the remainder of themolecule attaches to the phenyl ring. The names of these moieties areshown to the right of the structure.

In other embodiments, B has one of the structures below, where theremainder of the molecule attaches to the phenyl ring, and wherein x is5, 6, or 7, and y+z is 2x+1.

In one embodiment, x is 5 and y+z is 11.

In another embodiment, x is 6 and y+z is 13.

In another embodiment, x is 7 and y+z is 15.

Compounds have the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;wherein a dashed line indicates the presence or absence of a bondR is hydrocarbyl or hydroxyhydrocarbyl having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms.

Other compounds have the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;wherein a dashed line indicates the presence or absence of a bond;R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are independently H or C₁₋₆ alkyl.

As the dashed line indicates the presence or absence of a bond, R⁴ andR⁵ may be two separate moieties. For example, while not intending to belimiting, in one embodiment R⁴ and R⁵ is methyl, and no bond is presentwhere indicated by the dashed line.

For example, a compound according to the formula below

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof iscontemplated. Alternatively, while not intending to limit the scope ofthe invention in any way, R⁴ and R⁵ may form a ring. In other words, acompound such as the one shown below is possible, wherein x is from 1 to6.

A pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, or a metabolite thereof isalso contemplated.

Another embodiment has the formula

A pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, or a metabolite thereof isalso contemplated.

Other useful compounds have the formula

A pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, or a metabolite thereof isalso contemplated.

Other useful examples of compounds have the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof.

Other compounds have the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof,wherein R⁶ is cycloalkyl comprising from 3 to 10 carbon atoms.

Other compounds have the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof.

Other compounds have the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof.

Other compounds have the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, or a metabolite thereof.

Another useful compound is

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof.

Another useful compound is

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof.E is unsubstituted phenyl, chlorophenyl, fluorophenyl, ordimethylaminophenyl.

Other compounds have the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;wherein G is 1,3-interaryl or interheteroaryl, or —(CH₂)₃—.

Other compounds have the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;wherein G is 1,3-interaryl or interheteroaryl, or —(CH₂)₃—.

Other compounds have the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;wherein a dashed line indicates the presence or absence of a bond;R is hydrocarbyl or hydroxyhydrocarbyl having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms;X is CH₂, O, or S; andG is 1,3-interaryl or interheteroaryl, or —(CH₂)₃—.

While not intending to limit the scope of the invention in any way,examples of useful compounds are depicted below, and pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts or prodrugs thereof.

In one embodiment A is —S(CH₂)₃S(CH₂)₂— and B is phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₄OCH₂— and B is phenyl.

In another embodiment A is cis —CH₂CH═CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂CH≡CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₂S(CH₂)₃— and B is phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-Ph-OCH₂—, wherein Ph is interphenylene,and B is phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-mPh-OCH₂—, wherein mPh ism-interphenylene, and B is phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—(CH₂)₄— and B is phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interthienylene, and B is phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interfurylene, and B is phenyl.

As mentioned before, phenyl in the above embodiments means substitutedor unsubstituted phenyl unless indicated otherwise.

In one embodiment A is —S(CH₂)₃S(CH₂)₂— and B is (1-hydroxyhexyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₄OCH₂— and B is (1-hydroxyhexyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is cis —CH₂CH═CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is(1-hydroxyhexyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂CH≡CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is(1-hydroxyhexyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₂S(CH₂)₃— and B is(1-hydroxyhexyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-Ph-OCH₂—, wherein Ph is interphenylene,and B is (1-hydroxyhexyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-mPh-OCH₂—, wherein mPh ism-interphenylene, and B is (1-hydroxyhexyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—(CH₂)₄— and B is(1-hydroxyhexyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interthienylene, and B is (1-hydroxyhexyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interfurylene, and B is (1-hydroxyhexyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —S(CH₂)₃S(CH₂)₂— and B is(1-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₄OCH₂— and B is(1-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is cis —CH₂CH═CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is(1-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂CH≡CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is(1-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₂S(CH₂)₃— and B is(1-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-Ph-OCH₂—, wherein Ph is interphenylene,and B is (1-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-mPh-OCH₂—, wherein mPh ism-interphenylene, and B is (1-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—(CH₂)₄— and B is(1-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interthienylene, and B is (1-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interfurylene, and B is (1-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —S(CH₂)₃S(CH₂)₂— and B is(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₄OCH₂— and B is(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is cis —CH₂CH═CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂CH≡CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₂S(CH₂)₃— and B is(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-Ph-OCH₂—, wherein Ph is interphenylene,and B is (1-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-mPh-OCH₂—, wherein mPh ism-interphenylene, and B is (1-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—(CH₂)₄— and B is(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interthienylene, and B is (1-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interfurylene, and B is (1-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —S(CH₂)₃S(CH₂)₂— and B is(hydroxymethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₄OCH₂— and B is (hydroxymethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is cis —CH₂CH═CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is(hydroxymethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂CH≡CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is(hydroxymethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₂S(CH₂)₃— and B is(hydroxymethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-Ph-OCH₂—, wherein Ph is interphenylene,and B is (hydroxymethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-mPh-OCH₂—, wherein mPh ism-interphenylene, and B is (hydroxymethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—(CH₂)₄— and B is(hydroxymethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interthienylene, and B is (hydroxymethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interfurylene, and B is (hydroxymethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —S(CH₂)₃S(CH₂)₂— and B is[(1-propylcyclobutyl)hydroxymethyl]phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₄OCH₂— and B is[(1-propylcyclobutyl)hydroxymethyl]phenyl.

In another embodiment A is cis —CH₂CH═CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is[(1-propylcyclobutyl)hydroxymethyl]phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂CH≡CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is[(1-propylcyclobutyl)hydroxymethyl]phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₂S(CH₂)₃— and B is[(1-propylcyclobutyl)hydroxymethyl]phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-Ph-OCH₂—, wherein Ph is interphenylene,and B is [(1-propylcyclobutyl)hydroxymethyl]phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-mPh-OCH₂—, wherein mPh ism-interphenylene, and B is [(1-propylcyclobutyl)hydroxymethyl]phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—(CH₂)₄— and B is[(1-propylcyclobutyl)hydroxymethyl]phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interthienylene, and B is [(1-propylcyclobutyl)hydroxymethyl]phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interfurylene, and B is [(1-propylcyclobutyl)hydroxymethyl]phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —S(CH₂)₃S(CH₂)₂— and B is t-butylphenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₄OCH₂— and B is t-butylphenyl.

In another embodiment A is cis —CH₂CH═CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B ist-butylphenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂CH≡CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is t-butylphenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₂S(CH₂)₃— and B is t-butylphenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-Ph-OCH₂—, wherein Ph is interphenylene,and B is t-butylphenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-mPh-OCH₂—, wherein mPh ism-interphenylene, and B is t-butylphenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—(CH₂)₄— and B is t-butylphenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interthienylene, and B is t-butylphenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interfurylene, and B is t-butylphenyl.

In another embodiment A is —S(CH₂)₃S(CH₂)₂— and B is(cyclohexylhydroxymethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₄OCH₂— and B is(cyclohexylhydroxymethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is cis —CH₂CH═CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is(cyclohexylhydroxymethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂CH≡CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is(cyclohexylhydroxymethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₂S(CH₂)₃— and B is(cyclohexylhydroxymethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-Ph-OCH₂—, wherein Ph is interphenylene,and B is (cyclohexylhydroxymethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-mPh-OCH₂—, wherein mPh ism-interphenylene, and B is (cyclohexylhydroxymethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—(CH₂)₄— and B is(cyclohexylhydroxymethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interthienylene, and B is (cyclohexylhydroxymethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interfurylene, and B is (cyclohexylhydroxymethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —S(CH₂)₃S(CH₂)₂— and B is(cyclohexylmethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₄OCH₂— and B is(cyclohexylmethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is cis —CH₂CH═CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is(cyclohexylmethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂CH≡CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is(cyclohexylmethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₂S(CH₂)₃— and B is(cyclohexylmethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-Ph-OCH₂—, wherein Ph is interphenylene,and B is (cyclohexylmethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-mPh-OCH₂—, wherein mPh ism-interphenylene, and B is (cyclohexylmethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—(CH₂)₄— and B is(cyclohexylmethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interthienylene, and B is (cyclohexylmethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interfurylene, and B is (cyclohexylmethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —S(CH₂)₃S(CH₂)₂— and B is indanyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₄OCH₂— and B is indanyl.

In another embodiment A is cis —CH₂CH═CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is indanyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂CH≡CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is indanyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₂S(CH₂)₃— and B is indanyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-Ph-OCH₂—, wherein Ph is interphenylene,and B is indanyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-mPh-OCH₂—, wherein mPh ism-interphenylene, and B is indanyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—(CH₂)₄— and B is indanyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interthienylene, and B is indanyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interfurylene, and B is indanyl.

In another embodiment A is —S(CH₂)₃S(CH₂)₂— and B is indanolyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₄OCH₂— and B is indanolyl.

In another embodiment A is cis —CH₂CH═CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is indanolyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂CH≡CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is indanolyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₂S(CH₂)₃— and B is indanolyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-Ph-OCH₂—, wherein Ph is interphenylene,and B is indanolyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-mPh-OCH₂—, wherein mPh ism-interphenylene, and B is indanolyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—(CH₂)₄— and B is indanolyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interthienylene, and B is indanolyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interfurylene, and B is indanolyl.

In another embodiment A is —S(CH₂)₃S(CH₂)₂— and B is indanonyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₄OCH₂— and B is indanonyl.

In another embodiment A is cis —CH₂CH═CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is indanonyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂CH≡CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is indanonyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₂S(CH₂)₃— and B is indanonyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-Ph-OCH₂—, wherein Ph is interphenylene,and B is indanonyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-mPh-OCH₂—, wherein mPh ism-interphenylene, and B is indanonyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—(CH₂)₄— and B is indanonyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interthienylene, and B is indanonyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interfurylene, and B is indanonyl.

In another embodiment A is —S(CH₂)₃S(CH₂)₂— and B is(1-hydroxycyclobutyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₄OCH₂— and B is(1-hydroxycyclobutyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is cis —CH₂CH═CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is(1-hydroxycyclobutyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂CH≡CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is(1-hydroxycyclobutyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₂S(CH₂)₃— and B is(1-hydroxycyclobutyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-Ph-OCH₂—, wherein Ph is interphenylene,and B is (1-hydroxycyclobutyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-mPh-OCH₂—, wherein mPh ism-interphenylene, and B is (1-hydroxycyclobutyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—(CH₂)₄— and B is(1-hydroxycyclobutyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interthienylene, and B is (1-hydroxycyclobutyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interfurylene, and B is (1-hydroxycyclobutyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —S(CH₂)₃S(CH₂)₂— and B is(2-methyl-3-hydroxypropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₄OCH₂— and B is(2-methyl-3-hydroxypropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is cis —CH₂CH═CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is(2-methyl-3-hydroxypropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂CH≡CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is(2-methyl-3-hydroxypropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₂S(CH₂)₃— and B is(2-methyl-3-hydroxypropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-Ph-OCH₂—, wherein Ph is interphenylene,and B is (2-methyl-3-hydroxypropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-mPh-OCH₂—, wherein mPh ism-interphenylene, and B is (2-methyl-3-hydroxypropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—(CH₂)₄— and B is(2-methyl-3-hydroxypropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interthienylene, and B is (2-methyl-3-hydroxypropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interfurylene, and B is (2-methyl-3-hydroxypropyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —S(CH₂)₃S(CH₂)₂— and B is(1-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₄OCH₂— and B is(1-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is cis —CH₂CH═CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is(1-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂CH≡CH—CH₂OCH₂— and B is(1-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —(CH₂)₂S(CH₂)₃— and B is(1-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-Ph-OCH₂—, wherein Ph is interphenylene,and B is (1-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂-mPh-OCH₂—, wherein mPh ism-interphenylene, and B is (1-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—(CH₂)₄— and B is(1-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interthienylene, and B is (1-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)phenyl.

In another embodiment A is —CH₂—O—CH₂—Ar—, wherein Ar is2,5-interfurylene, and B is (1-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)phenyl.

COMPOUND EXAMPLES Compound Example 1

A compound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, or a metabolite thereof;whereinY is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereofcomprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an etherthereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolylfunctional group;A is —(CH₂)₆—, cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or —CH₂C≡C—(CH₂)₃—, wherein 1 or 2carbon atoms may be substituted with S or O; or A is—(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar is interarylene orheterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is from 1 to 4, and wherein oneCH₂ may be substituted with S or O;U is O, S, NR¹, wherein R¹ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₇ acyl, benzoyl,biphenylacyl, C₁₋₆ sulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, biphenylsulfonyl,trifluoromethylacyl, or trifloyl; andB is aryl or heteroaryl.

Compound Example 2

The compound of compound example 1 wherein B is phenyl.

Compound Example 3

The compound of compound example 2 wherein B is alkylphenyl.

Compound Example 4

The compound of compound example 2 wherein B is p-t-butylphenyl.

Compound Example 5

The compound of compound example 1 having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, or a metabolite thereof;wherein G is 1,3-interaryl or interheteroaryl, or —(CH₂)₃—.

Compound Example 6

The compound of compound example 5 wherein B is phenyl.

Compound Example 7

The compound of compound example 6 wherein B is hydroxyalkylphenyl.

Compound Example 8

The compound of compound example 1 having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, or a metabolite thereof;wherein a dashed line indicates the presence or absence of a bond;R is hydrocarbyl or hydroxyhydrocarbyl having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms;X is CH₂, O, or S; andG is 1,3-interaryl or interheteroaryl, or —(CH₂)₃—.

Compound Example 9

The compound of compound example 1 having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof.

Compound Example 10

The compound of compound example 1 having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof.

Compound Example 11

The compound of compound example 1 having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof.

Compound Example 12

The compound of compound example 1 having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof.

Compound Example 13

The compound of compound example 1 having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof.

Compound Example 14

A compound selected from

-   (S)-methyl    5-(((3-(4-(1-hydroxyhexyl)phenyl)-2-oxooxazolidin-4-yl)methoxy)methyl)thiophene-2-carboxylate;-   (S)-methyl    5-(((3-(4-(1-fluorohexyl)phenyl)-2-oxooxazolidin-4-yl)methoxy)methyl)thiophene-2-carboxylate;-   (S)-5-(((3-(4-(1-hydroxyhexyl)phenyl)-2-oxooxazolidin-4-yl)methoxy)methyl)thiophene-2-carboxylic    acid; and-   (S)-5-(((3-(4-(1-fluorohexyl)phenyl)-2-oxooxazolidin-4-yl)methoxy)methyl)thiophene-2-carboxylic    acid.

The compounds of disclosed herein are useful for the prevention ortreatment of glaucoma or ocular hypertension in mammals, or for themanufacture of a medicament for the treatment of glaucoma or ocularhypertension. They are also useful for the treatment of those diseasesdisclosed in the art as being amenable to treatment by prostaglandin EP₂agonist, such treating or preventing inflammation and pain in joint andmuscle (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid spondylitis,osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis, juvenile arthritis, etc.), inflammatoryskin condition (e.g., sunburn, burns, eczema, dermatitis, etc.),inflammatory eye condition (e.g., conjunctivitis, etc.), lung disorderin which inflammation is involved (e.g., asthma, bronchitis, pigeonfancier's disease, farmer's lung, etc.), condition of thegastrointestinal tract associated with inflammation (e.g., aphthousulcer, Chrohn's disease, atrophic gastritis, gastritis varialoforme,ulcerative colitis, coeliac disease, regional ileitis, irritable bowelsyndrome, etc.), gingivitis, inflammation, pain and tumescence afteroperation or injury, pyrexia, pain and other conditions associated withinflammation, allergic disease, systemic lupus crythematosus,scleroderma, polymyositis, tendinitis, bursitis, periarteritis nodose,rheumatic fever, Sjgren's syndrome, Behcet disease, thyroiditis, type Idiabetes, diabetic complication (diabetic microangiopathy, diabeticretinopathy, diabetic neohropathy, etc.), nephrotic syndrome, aplasticanemia, myasthenia gravis, uveitis contact dermatitis, psoriasis,Kawasaki disease, sarcoidosis, Hodgkin's disease, Alzheimers disease,kidney dysfunction (nephritis, nephritic syndrome, etc.), liverdysfunction (hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc.), gastrointestinal dysfunction(diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, etc.) shock, bone diseasecharacterized by abnormal bone metabolism such as osteoporosis(especially, postmenopausal osteoporosis), hypercalcemia,hyperparathyroidism, Paget's bone diseases, osteolysis, hypercalcemia ofmalignancy with or without bone metastases, rheumatoid arthritis,periodonritis, osteoarthritis, ostealgia, osteopenia, cancer cachexia,calculosis, lithiasis (especially, urolithiasis), solid carcinoma,mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, edema (e.g. cardiac edema,cerebral edema, etc.), hypertension such as malignant hypertension,pulmonary hypertension, or the like, premenstrual tension, urinarycalculus, oliguria such as the one caused by acute or chronic failure,hyperphosphaturia, constipation, renal disorders, sexual dysfunction,baldness, cancer, disorder of immune regulation, acute myocardialinfarction, vascular thrombosis, ischemic heart disease, congestiveheart failure, angina pectoris, and the like. A “pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt” is any salt that retains the activity of the parentcompound and does not impart any additional deleterious or untowardeffects on the subject to which it is administered and in the context inwhich it is administered compared to the parent compound. Apharmaceutically acceptable salt also refers to any salt which may formin vivo as a result of administration of an acid, another salt, or aprodrug which is converted into an acid or salt.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of acidic functional groups may bederived from organic or inorganic bases. The salt may comprise a mono orpolyvalent ion. Of particular interest are the inorganic ions, lithium,sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Organic salts may be madewith amines, particularly ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and trialkylamines or ethanol amines. Salts may also be formed with caffeine,tromethamine and similar molecules. Hydrochloric acid or some otherpharmaceutically acceptable acid may form a salt with a compound thatincludes a basic group, such as an amine or a pyridine ring.

A “prodrug” is a compound which is converted to a therapeutically activecompound after administration, and the term should be interpreted asbroadly herein as is generally understood in the art. While notintending to limit the scope of the invention, conversion may occur byhydrolysis of an ester group or some other biologically labile group.Generally, but not necessarily, a prodrug is inactive or less activethan the therapeutically active compound to which it is converted. Esterprodrugs of the compounds disclosed herein are specificallycontemplated. An ester may be derived from a carboxylic acid of C1 (i.e.the terminal carboxylic acid of a natural prostaglandin), or an estermay be derived from a carboxylic acid functional group on another partof the molecule, such as on a phenyl ring. While not intending to belimiting, an ester may be an alkyl ester, an aryl ester, or a heteroarylester. The term alkyl has the meaning generally understood by thoseskilled in the art and refers to linear, branched, or cyclic alkylmoieties. C₁₋₆ alkyl esters are particularly useful, where alkyl part ofthe ester has from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and includes, but is not limitedto, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, iso-butyl,t-butyl, pentyl isomers, hexyl isomers, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and combinations thereof having from 1-6 carbonatoms, etc.

A metabolite is broadly defined as a compound which is formed in vivofrom the disclosed compound.

Those skilled in the art will readily understand that for administrationor the manufacture of medicaments the compounds disclosed herein can beadmixed with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients which per se arewell known in the art. Specifically, a drug to be administeredsystemically, it may be confected as a powder, pill, tablet or the like,or as a solution, emulsion, suspension, aerosol, syrup or elixirsuitable for oral or parenteral administration or inhalation.

For solid dosage forms or medicaments, non-toxic solid carriers include,but are not limited to, pharmaceutical grades of mannitol, lactose,starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharin, the polyalkylene glycols,talcum, cellulose, glucose, sucrose and magnesium carbonate. The soliddosage forms may be uncoated or they may be coated by known techniquesto delay disintegration and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract andthereby provide a sustained action over a longer period. For example, atime delay material such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distcaratemay be employed. They may also be coated by the technique described inthe U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,256,108; 4,166,452; and 4,265,874 to form osmotictherapeutic tablets for control release. Liquid pharmaceuticallyadministrable dosage forms can, for example, comprise a solution orsuspension of one or more of the presently useful compounds and optionalpharmaceutical adjutants in a carrier, such as for example, water,saline, aqueous dextrose, glycerol, ethanol and the like, to therebyform a solution or suspension. If desired, the pharmaceuticalcomposition to be administered may also contain minor amounts ofnontoxic auxiliary substances such as wetting or emulsifying agents, pHbuffering agents and the like. Typical examples of such auxiliary agentsare sodium acetate, sorbitan monolaurate, triethanolamine, sodiumacetate, triethanolamine oleate, etc. Actual methods of preparing suchdosage forms are known, or will be apparent, to those skilled in thisart; for example, see Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, MackPublishing Company, Easton, Pa., 16th Edition, 1980. The composition ofthe formulation to be administered, in any event, contains a quantity ofone or more of the presently useful compounds in an amount effective toprovide the desired therapeutic effect.

Parenteral administration is generally characterized by injection,either subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intravenously. Injectables canbe prepared in conventional forms, either as liquid solutions orsuspensions, solid forms suitable for solution or suspension in liquidprior to injection, or as emulsions. Suitable excipients are, forexample, water, saline, dextrose, glycerol, ethanol and the like. Inaddition, if desired, the injectable pharmaceutical compositions to beadministered may also contain minor amounts of non-toxic auxiliarysubstances such as wetting or emulsifying agents, pH buffering agentsand the like.

The amount of the presently useful compound or compounds administeredis, of course, dependent on the therapeutic effect or effects desired,on the specific mammal being treated, on the severity and nature of themammal's condition, on the manner of administration, on the potency andpharmacodynamics of the particular compound or compounds employed, andon the judgment of the prescribing physician. The therapeuticallyeffective dosage of the presently useful compound or compounds ispreferably in the range of about 0.5 or about 1 to about 100 mg/kg/day.

A liquid which is ophthalmically acceptable is formulated such that itcan be administered topically to the eye. The comfort should bemaximized as much as possible, although sometimes formulationconsiderations (e.g. drug stability) may necessitate less than optimalcomfort. In the case that comfort cannot be maximized, the liquid shouldbe formulated such that the liquid is tolerable to the patient fortopical ophthalmic use. Additionally, an ophthalmically acceptableliquid should either be packaged for single use, or contain apreservative to prevent contamination over multiple uses.

For ophthalmic application, solutions or medicaments are often preparedusing a physiological saline solution as a major vehicle. Ophthalmicsolutions should preferably be maintained at a comfortable pH with anappropriate buffer system. The formulations may also containconventional, pharmaceutically acceptable preservatives, stabilizers andsurfactants.

Preservatives that may be used in the pharmaceutical compositions of thepresent invention include, but are not limited to, benzalkoniumchloride, chlorobutanol, thimerosal, phenylmercuric acetate andphenylmercuric nitrate. A useful surfactant is, for example, Tween 80.Likewise, various useful vehicles may be used in the ophthalmicpreparations of the present invention. These vehicles include, but arenot limited to, polyvinyl alcohol, povidone, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, poloxamers, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl celluloseand purified water.

Tonicity adjustors may be added as needed or convenient. They include,but are not limited to, salts, particularly sodium chloride, potassiumchloride, mannitol and glycerin, or any other suitable ophthalmicallyacceptable tonicity adjustor.

Various buffers and means for adjusting pH may be used so long as theresulting preparation is ophthalmically acceptable. Accordingly, buffersinclude acetate buffers, citrate buffers, phosphate buffers and boratebuffers. Acids or bases may be used to adjust the pH of theseformulations as needed.

In a similar vein, an ophthalmically acceptable antioxidant for use inthe present invention includes, but is not limited to, sodiummetabisulfite, sodium thiosulfate, acetylcysteine, butylatedhydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene.

Other excipient components which may be included in the ophthalmicpreparations are chelating agents. A useful chelating agent is edetatedisodium, although other chelating agents may also be used in place orin conjunction with it.

The ingredients are usually used in the following amounts: IngredientAmount (% w/v) active ingredient about 0.001-5 preservative   0-0.10vehicle  0-40 tonicity adjustor  1-10 buffer 0.01-10   pH adjustor q.s.pH 4.5-7.5 antioxidant as needed surfactant as needed purified water asneeded to make 100%

For topical use, creams, ointments, gels, solutions or suspensions,etc., containing the compound disclosed herein are employed. Topicalformulations may generally be comprised of a pharmaceutical carrier,cosolvent, emulsifier, penetration enhancer, preservative system, andemollient.

The actual dose of the active compounds of the present invention dependson the specific compound, and on the condition to be treated; theselection of the appropriate dose is well within the knowledge of theskilled artisan.

The compounds disclosed herein are also useful in combination with otherdrugs useful for the treatment of glaucoma or other conditions.

For the treatment of glaucoma, combination treatment with the followingclasses of drugs are contemplated:

β-Blockers (or β-adrenergic antagonists) including carteolol,levobunolol, metiparanolol, timolol hemihydrate, timolol maleate,β1-selective antagonists such as betaxolol, and the like, orpharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrugs thereof;

Adrenergic Agonists including

non-selective adrenergic agonists such as epinephrine borate,epinephrine hydrochloride, and dipivefrin, and the like, orpharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrugs thereof; and

α2-selective adrenergic agonists such as apraclonidine, brimonidine, andthe like, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrugs thereof;

Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors including acetazolamide, dichlorphenamide,methazolamide, brinzolamide, dorzolamide, and the like, orpharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrugs thereof;

Cholinergic Agonists including

direct acting cholinergic agonists such as carbachol, pilocarpinehydrochloride, pilocarbine nitrate, pilocarpine, and the like, orpharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrugs thereof;

chlolinesterase inhibitors such as demecarium, echothiophate,physostigmine, and the like, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts orprodrugs thereof;

Glutamate Antagonists and other neuroprotective agents such as Ca²⁺channel blockers such as memantine, amantadine, rimantadine,nitroglycerin, dextrophan, detromethorphan, CGS-19755, dihydropyridines,verapamil, emopamil, benzothiazepines, bepridil,diphenylbutylpiperidines, diphenylpiperazines, HOE 166 and relateddrugs, fluspirilene, eliprodil, ifenprodil, CP-101,606, tibalosine,2309BT, and 840S, flunarizine, nicardipine, nifedimpine, nimodipine,barnidipine, verapamil, lidoflazine, prenylamine lactate, amiloride, andthe like, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrugs thereof;

Prostamides such as bimatoprost, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts orprodrugs thereof; and

Prostaglandins including travoprost, UFO-21, chloprostenol,fluprostenol, 13,14-dihydro-chloprostenol, isopropyl unoprostone,latanoprost and the like.

Cannabinoids including CB1 agonists such as WIN-55212-2 and CP-55940 andthe like, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrugs thereof.

For treatment of diseases affecting the eye including glaucoma, thesecompounds can be administered topically, periocularly, intraocularly, orby any other effective means known in the art.

Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease may be accomplished by theadministration of the compounds described herein to the sufferingmammal. Inflammatory bowel disease describes a variety of diseasescharacterized by inflammation of the bowels including, but not limitedto, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Treatment may beaccomplished by oral administration, by suppository, or parenteraladministration, or some other suitable method.

While not intending to limit the scope of the invention in any way,delivery of the compounds disclosed herein to the colon via oral dosageforms may be accomplished by any of a number of methods known in theart. For example, reviews by Chourasia and Jain in J Pharm PharmaceutSci 6 (1): 33-66, 2003 and Shareef et. al (AAPS PharmSci 2003; 5 (2)Article 17) describe a number of useful methods. While not intending tolimit the scope of the invention in any way these methods include 1)administration of a prodrug, including an azo or a carbohydrate basedprodrug; 2) coating the drug with, or encapsulating or impregnating thedrug into a polymer designed for delivery to the colon, 3) time releaseddelivery of the drug, 4) use of a bioadhesive system; and the like.

While not intending to be bound in any way by theory, it is believedthat intestinal microflora are capable of reductive cleavage of an azobond leaving the two nitrogen atoms as amine functional groups. Whilenot intending to limit the scope of the invention in any way, the azoprodrug approach has been used to deliver to 5-aminosalicylic acid tothe colons of humans in clinical trials for the treatment ofinflammatory bowel disease. It is also believed that bacteria of thelower GI also have enzymes which can digest glycosides, glucuronides,cyclodextrins, dextrans, and other carbohydrates, and ester prodrugsformed from these carbohydrates have been shown to deliver the parentactive drugs selectively to the colon. For example, in vivo and in vitrostudies on rats and guinea pigs with prodrugs of dexamethasone,prednisolone, hydrocortisone, and fludrocortisone, suggest thatglycoside conjugates may be useful for the delivery of steroids to thehuman colon. Other in vivo studies have suggested that glucouronide,cyclodextrin, and dextran prodrugs of steroids or non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs are useful for delivery of these drugs to thelower GI tract. An amide of salicylic acid and glutamic acid has beenshown to be useful for the delivery of salicylic acid to the colon ofrabbit and dog.

While not intending to limit the scope of the invention in any way,carbohydrate polymers such as amylase, arabinogalactan, chitosan,chondroiton sulfate, dextran, guar gum, pectin, xylin, and the like, orazo-group containing polymers can be used to coat a drug compound, or adrug may be impregnated or encapsulated in the polymer. It is believedthat after oral administration, the polymers remain stable in the upperGI tract, but are digested by the microflora of the lower GI thusreleasing the drug for treatment.

Polymers which are sensitive to pH may also be used since the colon hasa higher pH than the upper GI tract. Such polymers are commerciallyavailable. For example, Rohm Pharmaceuticals, Darmstadt, Germany,markets pH dependent methacrylate based polymers and copolymers whichhave varying solubilities over different pH ranges based upon the numberof free carboxylate groups in the polymer under the tradename Eudragit®.Several Eudragit® dosage forms are currently used to deliver salsalazinefor the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Timerelease systems, bioadhesive systems, and other delivery systems havealso been studied.

One embodiment is use of a compound in the manufacture of a medicamentfor the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, said compound havingthe formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;whereinY is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereofcomprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an etherthereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolylfunctional group;A is —(CH₂)₆—, cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or —CH₂C≡C—(CH₂)₃—, wherein 1 or 2carbon atoms may be substituted with S or O; or A is—(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar is interarylene orheterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is from 1 to 4, and wherein oneCH₂ may be substituted with S or O;U is O, S, NR¹, wherein R¹ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₇ acyl, benzoyl,biphenylacyl, C₁₋₆ sulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, biphenylsulfonyl,trifluoromethylacyl, or trifloyl; andB is aryl or heteroaryl.

Another embodiment is use of a compound in the manufacture of amedicament for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, saidcompound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;whereinY is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereofcomprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an etherthereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolylfunctional group;A is —(CH₂)₆—, cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or —CH₂C≡C—(CH₂)₃—, wherein 1 or 2carbon atoms may be substituted with S or O; or A is—(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar is interarylene orheterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is from 1 to 4, and wherein oneCH₂ may be substituted with S or O;U is O, S, NR¹, wherein R¹ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₇ acyl, benzoyl,biphenylacyl, C₁₋₆ sulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, biphenylsulfonyl,trifluoromethylacyl, or trifloyl; andB is phenyl.

Another embodiment is use of a compound in the manufacture of amedicament for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, saidcompound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;whereinY is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereofcomprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an etherthereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolylfunctional group;A is —(CH₂)₆—, cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or —CH₂C≡C—(CH₂)₃—, wherein 1 or 2carbon atoms may be substituted with S or O; or A is—(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar is interarylene orheterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is from 1 to 4, and wherein oneCH₂ may be substituted with S or O;U is O, S, NR¹, wherein R¹ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₇ acyl, benzoyl,biphenylacyl, C₁₋₆ sulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, biphenylsulfonyl,trifluoromethylacyl, or trifloyl; andB is alkylphenyl.

Another embodiment is use of a compound in the manufacture of amedicament for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, saidcompound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;whereinY is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereofcomprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an etherthereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolylfunctional group;A is —(CH₂)₆—, cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or —CH₂C≡C—(CH₂)₃—, wherein 1 or 2carbon atoms may be substituted with S or O; or A is—(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar is interarylene orheterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is from 1 to 4, and wherein oneCH₂ may be substituted with S or O;U is O, S, NR¹, wherein R¹ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₇ acyl, benzoyl,biphenylacyl, C₁₋₆ sulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, biphenylsulfonyl,trifluoromethylacyl, or trifloyl; andB is p-t-butylphenyl.

Another embodiment is use of a compound in the manufacture of amedicament for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, saidcompound comprising

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;whereinY is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereofcomprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an etherthereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolylfunctional group;G is 1,3-interaryl or interheteroaryl, or —(CH₂)₃—; andB is aryl or heteroaryl.

Another embodiment is use of a compound in the manufacture of amedicament for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, saidcompound comprising

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;whereinY is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereofcomprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an etherthereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolylfunctional group;G is 1,3-interaryl or interheteroaryl, or —(CH₂)₃—; andB is phenyl.

Another embodiment is use of a compound in the manufacture of amedicament for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, saidcompound comprising

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;whereinY is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereofcomprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an etherthereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolylfunctional group;G is 1,3-interaryl or interheteroaryl, or —(CH₂)₃—; andB is hydroxyalkylphenyl.

Another embodiment is use of a compound in the manufacture of amedicament for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, saidcompound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;wherein a dashed line indicates the presence or absence of a bond;Y is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereofcomprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an etherthereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolylfunctional group;R is hydrocarbyl or hydroxyhydrocarbyl having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms;X is CH₂, O, or S; andG is 1,3-interaryl or interheteroaryl, or —(CH₂)₃—.

Another embodiment is use of a compound in the manufacture of amedicament for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, saidcompound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof, wherein A,Y, and U are as disclosed herein.

Another embodiment is use of a compound in the manufacture of amedicament for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, saidcompound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof, wherein A,Y, and U are as disclosed herein.

Another embodiment is use of a compound in the manufacture of amedicament for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, saidcompound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof, wherein A,Y, and R¹ are as disclosed herein.

Another embodiment is use of a compound in the manufacture of amedicament for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, saidcompound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof, wherein Aand Y are as disclosed herein.

Another embodiment is use of a compound in the manufacture of amedicament for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, saidcompound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof, wherein Aand Y are as disclosed herein.

One embodiment is a compound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;whereinY is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereofcomprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an etherthereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolylfunctional group;A is —(CH₂)₆—, cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or —CH₂C≡C—(CH₂)₃—, wherein 1 or 2carbon atoms may be substituted with S or O; or A is—(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar is interarylene orheterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is from 1 to 4, and wherein oneCH₂ may be substituted with S or O;U is O, S, NR¹, wherein R¹ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₇ acyl, benzoyl,biphenylacyl, C₁₋₆ sulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, biphenylsulfonyl,trifluoromethylacyl, or trifloyl; andB is aryl or heteroaryl.

Another embodiment is a compound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;whereinY is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereofcomprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an etherthereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolylfunctional group;A is —(CH₂)₆—, cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or —CH₂C≡C—(CH₂)₃—, wherein 1 or 2carbon atoms may be substituted with S or O; or A is—(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar is interarylene orheterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is from 1 to 4, and wherein oneCH₂ may be substituted with S or O;U is O, S, NR¹, wherein R¹ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₇ acyl, benzoyl,biphenylacyl, C₁₋₆ sulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, biphenylsulfonyl,trifluoromethylacyl, or trifloyl; andB is phenyl.

Another embodiment is a compound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;whereinY is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereofcomprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an etherthereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolylfunctional group;A is —(CH₂)₆—, cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or —CH₂C≡C—(CH₂)₃—, wherein 1 or 2carbon atoms may be substituted with S or O; or A is—(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar is interarylene orheterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is from 1 to 4, and wherein oneCH₂ may be substituted with S or O;U is O, S, NR¹, wherein R¹ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₇ acyl, benzoyl,biphenylacyl, C₁₋₆ sulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, biphenylsulfonyl,trifluoromethylacyl, or trifloyl; andB is alkylphenyl.

Another embodiment is a compound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;whereinY is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereofcomprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an etherthereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolylfunctional group;A is —(CH₂)₆—, cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or —CH₂C≡C—(CH₂)₃—, wherein 1 or 2carbon atoms may be substituted with S or O; or A is—(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar is interarylene orheterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is from 1 to 4, and wherein oneCH₂ may be substituted with S or O;U is O, S, NR¹, wherein R¹ is H, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₇ acyl, benzoyl,biphenylacyl, C₁₋₆ sulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, biphenylsulfonyl,trifluoromethylacyl, or trifloyl; andB is p-t-butylphenyl.

Another embodiment is a compound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;whereinY is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereofcomprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an etherthereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolylfunctional group;G is 1,3-interaryl or interheteroaryl, or —(CH₂)₃—; andB is aryl or heteroaryl.

Another embodiment is a compound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;whereinY is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereofcomprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an etherthereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolylfunctional group;G is 1,3-interaryl or interheteroaryl, or —(CH₂)₃—; andB is phenyl.

Another embodiment is a compound comprising

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;whereinY is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereofcomprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an etherthereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolylfunctional group;G is 1,3-interaryl or interheteroaryl, or —(CH₂)₃—; andB is hydroxyalkylphenyl.

Another embodiment is a compound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof;wherein a dashed line indicates the presence or absence of a bond;Y is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or ester thereofcomprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or an etherthereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolylfunctional group;R is hydrocarbyl or hydroxyhydrocarbyl having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms;X is CH₂, O, or S; andG is 1,3-interaryl or interheteroaryl, or —(CH₂)₃—.

Another embodiment is a compound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof, wherein Y,A, and U are as disclosed herein.

Another embodiment is a compound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof.

Another embodiment is a compound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof, wherein Y,A, and R¹ are as disclosed herein.

Another embodiment is a compound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof, wherein Yand A are as disclosed herein.

Another embodiment is a compound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof, wherein Yand A are as disclosed herein.

Embodiments contemplated for each compound disclosed herein are use ofthe compound in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment ofglaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Embodiments contemplated for each compound disclosed herein are use ofthe compound in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment ofinflammatory bowel disease.

Embodiments contemplated for each compound disclosed herein are methodscomprising administering an effective amount of the compound to a mammalfor the treatment of glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Embodiments contemplated for each compound disclosed herein are methodscomprising administering an effective amount of the compound to a mammalfor the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Embodiments contemplated for each compound disclosed herein arecompositions comprising the compound, wherein said compositions areophthalmically acceptable liquids.

Synthetic Methods

Example 15-{(S)-3-[4-(1-Hydroxy-hexyl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-4-ylmethoxymethyl}-thiophene-2-carboxylicacid (5)

Step 1. Arylation of 1 to Give 2

Potassium carbonate (730 mg, 5.28 mmol) was added to a solution of(S)-4-hydroxymethyl-oxazolidin-2-one (1, prepared from D-serine methylester hydrochloride according to the procedures of Sibi and RenhoweTetrahedron Lett. 1990, 31, 7407-7410, 371 mg, 3.17 mmol) and arylbromide A (980 mg, 2.64 mmol) (see Provisional Patent Application No.60/742,779, filed Dec. 6, 2005, which is expressly incorporated byreference herein) in MeCN (6 mL). Copper (I) iodide andN,N′-dimethylethylenediamine were then added and the reaction flask wasfitted with a reflux condenser. The reaction mixture was heated atreflux for 3 d, then cooled to room temperature. The mixture was dilutedwith EtOAc and filtered through celite, washing with excess EtOAc. Thefiltrate was concentrated in vacuo. Purification of the crude residue byflash column chromatography on 40 g of silica gel (hexane→EtOAc,gradient) afforded 363 mg (34%) of desired alcohol 2.

Step 2. Alkylation of 2 to Give 3

Sodium hydride (60% oil dispersion, 26 mg, 0.65 mmol) was added to asolution of alcohol 2 (180 mg, 0.44 mmol) in DMF (1.1 mL) at 0° C. After5 min, the reaction was allowed to warm to room temperature. After 30min at room temperature, the mixture was cooled to a −40° C. and asolution of bromide B (Preparation 1, 125 mg, 0.53 mmol) in DMF (1.1 mL)was added via cannula. After 3 h at −40° C., the reaction was quenchedwith 1 N HCl (10 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (3×30 mL). The combinedextracts were washed with H₂O (2×15 mL) and brine (20 mL), then dried(Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. Purification of the cruderesidue by flash column chromatography on 12 g of silica gel(hexane→EtOAc, gradient) afforded 97 mg (39%) of desired product 3.

Step 3. Deprotection of 3 to Give 4 and 5

HF-pyridine (0.25 mL) was added to a solution of silyl ether 3 (97 mg,0.17 mmol) in MeCN (3.4 mL) at 0° C. in a plastic scintillation vial.After 1 h at 0° C., the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to roomtemperature. After 30 min at room temperature, the reaction was quenchedwith saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ and extracted with EtOAc (3×20 mL). Thecombined extracts were washed with brine (10 mL), then dried (Na₂SO₄),filtered and concentrated in vacuo. Purification of the crude residue byflash column chromatography on 4 g of silica gel (hexane→EtOAc,gradient) afforded 3 mg (3%) of 3, 6 mg (8%) of fluoride 5 and 62 mg(80%) of alcohol 4.

Step 4. Saponification of 4 to Give 6

Aqueous lithium hydroxide (1 N, 0.3 mL, 0.3 mmol) was added to asolution of ester 4 (26 mg, 0.058 mmol) in THF (0.6 mL). After 18 h atroom temperature, the reaction was acidified with 1.0 M HCl (2 mL) thenextracted with EtOAc (3×10 mL). Combined extracts were washed with brine(5 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. Purificationof the crude residue by flash column chromatography on 4 g of silica gel(CH₂Cl₂→10% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂, gradient) afforded 24 mg (95%) of the titlecompound (6).

Example 25-{(S)-3-[4-(1-Fluoro-hexyl)-phenyl]-2-oxo-oxazolidin-4-ylmethoxymethyl}-thiophene-2-carboxylicacid (7)

Aqueous lithium hydroxide (1 N, 0.075 mL, 0.075 mmol) was added to asolution of ester 5 (6 mg, 0.013 mmol) in THF (0.15 mL). After 18 h atroom temperature, the solvent was removed under a stream of nitrogen,the residue was acidified with 1.0 M HCl (1 mL) and the mixture wasextracted with EtOAc (3×5 mL). Combined extracts were washed with brine(5 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. Purificationof the crude residue by flash column chromatography on 4 g of silica gel(CH₂Cl₂→10% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂, gradient) afforded 2.5 mg (43%) of the titlecompound (7).

Preparation 1 Methyl 5-bromomethyl-thiophene-2-carboxylate (B)

Bromine (0.47 mL, 9.12 mmol) was added to a solution of imidazole (617mg, 9.06 mmol) and triphenylphosphine (2.40 g, 9.15 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (30mL) at room temperature. A solution of methyl5-hydroxymethyl-thiophene-2-carboxylate (prepared according to theprocedures described in WO2004/037808; 1.30 g, 7.59 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (10mL) was then added. After 10 min at room temperature, the reactionmixture was concentrated in vacuo. Purification of the crude residue byflash column chromatography on 80 g of silica gel (hexane→EtOAc,gradient) afforded 1.70 g (95%) of the title compound (B).

It is envisioned that a compound such as 2 would serve as a precursor toanalogs of compounds 6 and 7 which replace the alpha chain oxygen atomwith a carbon atom. This might be accomplished using the procedures inU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/777,506, filed Feb. 28, 2006,which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. Other analogswherein the alpha chain thiophene is replaced by a different aryl orheteroaryl group are also envisioned.

Furthermore, the analogs of compounds 6 and 7 which replace the corering oxygen atom with a sulfur atom or a nitrogen atom are alsoenvisioned. Starting material analogs of 1 which might be used toprepare these compounds are (S)-4-hydroxymethylthiazolidin-2-one and(R)-2-oxo-imidazolidine-1,4-dicarboxylic acid 1-benzyl ester 4-methylester. (S)-4-Hydroxymethylthiazolidin-2-one would be prepared fromD-cysteine according to the procedures described by Han et al.,WO2004/019938. (R)-2-Oxo-imidazolidine-1,4-dicarboxylic acid 1-benzylester 4-methyl ester would be prepared from (R)—N-Cbz-asparagine(derived from D-asparagine) according to the procedures described bySaijo et al., Chem. Pharm. Bull. 1980, 28, 1459-1467. In thethiazolidinone case, the above procedures described for theoxazolidinone case would apply directly. Other arylation conditions,such as those catalyzed by palladium complexes are also envisioned.Additionally, it may be advantageous to protect the free alcohol of(S)-4-hydroxymethylthiazolidin-2-one prior to the arylation reaction,possibly as its silyl ether. These conditions have been describedpreviously (U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/660,740, filedMar. 10, 2005, which is now the priority document for PCT ApplicationNo. 2006/007797, filed Mar. 6, 2006, both of which are expresslyincorporated by reference herein; and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/777,506, filed Feb. 28, 2006, which is expresslyincorporated by reference herein). In the imidazolidinone case, a fewadditional procedures would be required. Thus, after the arylation ofthe core ring nitrogen, the methyl ester moiety would be selectivelyreduced to the hydroxymethyl derivative using NaBH₄ in EtOH. Afterelaboration of the alpha chain, alkaline hydrolysis of the C-1 estermoiety should also remove the Cbz group from the core ring nitrogenatom. Re-esterification of the C-1 acid with diazomethane would thenallow selective alkylation or acylation or sulfonylation of the corering nitrogen atom. Re-hydrolysis (using esterase if necessary forselectivity) would then afford the desired C-1 acid.

Biological Assay Methods

Binding Data

Ki

Competition binding experiments are performed in a medium containingHank's balanced salt solution, Hepes 20 mM, pH 7.3, membranes (˜60 μgprotein) or 2×10⁵ cells from HEK 293 cells stably expressing human EP2receptors, [³H]PGE2 (10 nM) and various concentrations of test compoundsin a total volume of 300 μl. Reaction mixtures are incubated at 23° C.for 60 min, and are filtered over Whatman GF/B filters under vacuum.Filters are washed three times with 5 ml ice-cold buffer containing 50mM Tris/HCl (pH 7.3). Non-specific binding is estimated in the presenceof excess unlabeled PGE2 (10 μM). Binding data fitted to the bindingmodel for a single class of binding sites, using nonlinear regressionanalysis. IC₅₀ values thus obtained are converted to Ki using theequation of Ki=(IC₅₀/(1+[L]/K_(D)) where [L] represents PGE2concentration (10 nM) and K_(D) the dissociation constant for [³H]PGE2at human EP2 receptors (40 nM).

Radioligand Binding

Cells Stably Expressing EP₁, EP₂, EP₄ and FP Receptors

HEK-293 cells stably expressing the human or feline FP receptor, or EP₁,EP₂, or EP₄ receptors are washed with TME buffer, scraped from thebottom of the flasks, and homogenized for 30 sec using a Brinkman PT10/35 polytron. TME buffer is added to achieve a final 40 ml volume inthe centrifuge tubes (the composition of TME is 100 mM TRIS base, 20 mMMgCl₂, 2M EDTA; 10N HCl is added to achieve a pH of 7.4).

The cell homogenate is centrifuged at 19000 r.p.m. for 20 min at 4° C.using a Beckman Ti-60 rotor. The resultant pellet is resuspended in TMEbuffer to give a final 1 mg/ml protein concentration, as determined byBiorad assay. Radioligand binding competition assays vs. [³H-]17-phenylPGF_(2□) (5 nM) are performed in a 100 μl volume for 60 min. Bindingreactions are started by adding plasma membrane fraction. The reactionis terminated by the addition of 4 ml ice-cold TRIS-HCl buffer and rapidfiltration through glass fiber GF/B filters using a Brandel cellharvester. The filters are washed 3 times with ice-cold buffer and ovendried for one hour.

[³H-] PGE₂ (specific activity 180 Ci mmol) is used as the radioligandfor EP receptors. [³H] 17-phenyl PGF_(2□) is employed for FP receptorbinding studies. Binding studies employing EP₁, EP₂, EP₄ and FPreceptors are performed in duplicate in at least three separateexperiments. A 200 μl assay volume is used. Incubations are for 60 minat 25° C. and are terminated by the addition of 4 ml of ice-cold 50 mMTRIS-HCl, followed by rapid filtration through Whatman GF/B filters andthree additional 4 ml washes in a cell harvester (Brandel). Competitionstudies are performed using a final concentration of 5 nM [³H]-PGE₂, or5 nM [³H] 17-phenyl PGF_(2□) and non-specific binding determined with10⁻⁵M of unlabeled PGE₂, or 17-phenyl PGF_(2α), according to receptorsubtype studied.

Methods for FLIPR™ Studies

(a) Cell Culture

HEK-293(EBNA) cells, stably expressing one type or subtype ofrecombinant human prostaglandin receptors (prostaglandin receptorsexpressed: hDP/Gqs5; hEP₁; hEP₂/Gqs5; hEP_(3A)/Gqi5; hEP₄/Gqs5; hFP;hIP; hTP), are cultured in 100 mm culture dishes in high-glucose DMEMmedium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, 2 mM I-glutamine, 250 μg/mlgeneticin (G418) and 200 μg/ml hygromycin B as selection markers, and100 units/ml penicillin G, 100 μg/ml streptomycin and 0.25 μg/mlamphotericin B.

(b) Calcium Signal Studies on the FLIPR™

Cells are seeded at a density of 5×10⁴ cells per well in Biocoat®Poly-D-lysine-coated black-wall, clear-bottom 96-well plates(Becton-Dickinson) and allowed to attach overnight in an incubator at37° C. Cells are then washed two times with HBSS-HEPES buffer (HanksBalanced Salt Solution without bicarbonate and phenol red, 20 mM HEPES,pH 7.4) using a Denley Cellwash plate washer (Labsystems). After 45minutes of dye-loading in the dark, using the calcium-sensitive dyeFluo-4 AM at a final concentration of 2 μM, plates are washed four timeswith HBSS-HEPES buffer to remove excess dye leaving 100 μl in each well.Plates are re-equilibrated to 37° C. for a few minutes.

Cells are excited with an Argon laser at 488 nm, and emission ismeasured through a 510-570 nm bandwidth emission filter (FLIPR™,Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif.). Drug solution is added in a 50 □lvolume to each well to give the desired final concentration. The peakincrease in fluorescence intensity is recorded for each well. On eachplate, four wells each served as negative (HBSS-HEPES buffer) andpositive controls (standard agonists: BW245C (hDP); PGE₂ (hEP₁;hEP₂/Gqs5; hEP_(3A)/Gqi5; hEP₄/Gqs5); PGF_(2□) (hFP); carbacyclin (hIP);U-46619 (hTP), depending on receptor). The peak fluorescence change ineach drug-containing well is then expressed relative to the controls.

Compounds are tested in a high-throughput (HTS) orconcentration-response (CoRe) format. In the HTS format, forty-fourcompounds per plate are examined in duplicates at a concentration of10⁻⁵ M. To generate concentration-response curves, four compounds perplate are tested in duplicates in a concentration range between 10⁻⁵ and10⁻¹¹ M. The duplicate values are averaged. In either, HTS or CoReformat each compound is tested on at least 3 separate plates using cellsfrom different passages to give an n≧3.

Results for examples compounds are shown below. EP2 data EP4 data OtherReceptors (EC50 in nM) flipr cAMP flipr Structure EC50 EC50 Ki EC50 KIhFP hEP1 hEP3A hTP hIP hDP

817 14 2711 NA NA NA 995 NA NA >10000

13 1043Intraocular Pressure (IOP)

Intraocular pressure studies in dogs involve pneumatonometry performedon conscious Beagle dogs of both sexes (10-15 kg). The animals remainconscious throughout the study and are gently restrained by hand. Drugsare administered topically to one eye as a 25 μL volume drop, the othereye receives 25 μL vehicle (0.1% polysorbate 80:10 mM TRIS) as acontrol. Proparacaine (0.1%) is used for corneal anesthesia duringtonometry. Intraocular pressure is determined just before drugadministration and at 2, 4 and 6 hr thereafter on each day of the 5 daystudy. Drug is administered immediately after the first IOP reading.

The compounds disclosed useful for the treatment of glaucoma, ocularhypertension, inflammatory bowel disease, and the other diseases orconditions disclosed herein.

The foregoing description details specific methods and compositions thatcan be employed to practice the present invention, and represents thebest mode contemplated. However, it is apparent for one of ordinaryskill in the art that further compounds with the desired pharmacologicalproperties can be prepared in an analogous manner, and that thedisclosed compounds can also be obtained from different startingcompounds via different chemical reactions. Similarly, differentpharmaceutical compositions may be prepared and used with substantiallythe same result. Thus, however detailed the foregoing may appear intext, it should not be construed as limiting the overall scope hereof;rather, the ambit of the present invention is to be governed only by thelawful construction of the appended claims.

1. A compound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, or a metabolite thereof;wherein Y is an organic acid functional group, or an amide or esterthereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is hydroxymethyl or anether thereof comprising up to 12 carbon atoms; or Y is a tetrazolylfunctional group; A is —(CH₂)₆—, cis —CH₂CH═CH—(CH₂)₃—, or—CH₂C≡C—(CH₂)₃—, wherein 1 or 2 carbon atoms may be substituted with Sor O; or A is —(CH₂)_(m)—Ar—(CH₂)_(o)— wherein Ar is interarylene orheterointerarylene, the sum of m and o is from 1 to 4, and wherein oneCH₂ may be substituted with S or O; U is O, S, NR¹, wherein R¹ is H,C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₇ acyl, benzoyl, biphenylacyl, C₁₋₆ sulfonyl,phenylsulfonyl, biphenylsulfonyl, trifluoromethylacyl, or trifloyl; andB is aryl or heteroaryl.
 2. The compound of claim 1 wherein B is phenyl.3. The compound of claim 2 wherein B is alkylphenyl.
 4. The compound ofclaim 2 wherein B is p-t-butylphenyl.
 5. The compound of claim 1 havingthe formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, or a metabolite thereof;wherein G is 1,3-interarylene or interheteroarylene, or —(CH₂)₃—.
 6. Thecompound of claim 5 wherein B is phenyl.
 7. The compound of claim 6wherein G is interthienylene.
 8. The compound of claim 7 wherein B ishydroxyalkylphenyl.
 9. Use of claim 1, said compound having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, or a metabolite thereof;wherein a dashed line indicates the presence or absence of a bond; R ishydrocarbyl or hydroxyhydrocarbyl having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms; X isCH₂, O, or S; and G is 1,3-interarylene or interheteroarylene, or—(CH₂)₃—.
 10. The compound of claim 9 wherein G is interthienylene. 11.The compound of claim 10 wherein X is CH₂.
 12. The compound of claim 10wherein X is O.
 13. The compound of claim 1 having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof.
 14. Thecompound of claim 1 having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof.
 15. Thecompound of claim 1 having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof.
 16. Thecompound of claim 1 having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof.
 17. Thecompound of claim 1 having the formula

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof.
 18. Thecompound of claim 1 selected from: (S)-methyl5-(((3-(4-(1-hydroxyhexyl)phenyl)-2-oxooxazolidin-4-yl)methoxy)methyl)thiophene-2-carboxylate;(S)-methyl5-(((3-(4-(1-fluorohexyl)phenyl)-2-oxooxazolidin-4-yl)methoxy)methyl)thiophene-2-carboxylate;(S)-5-(((3-(4-(1-hydroxyhexyl)phenyl)-2-oxooxazolidin-4-yl)methoxy)methyl)thiophene-2-carboxylicacid; and(S)-5-(((3-(4-(1-fluorohexyl)phenyl)-2-oxooxazolidin-4-yl)methoxy)methyl)thiophene-2-carboxylicacid.
 19. A method of reducing intraocular pressure comprisingadministering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound accordingto claim to an eye of a mammal in need thereof.
 21. A compositioncomprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according toclaim 1, wherein said composition is ophthalmically acceptable.